Date: 2/5/15
The Pacific Test started as everyone expected. Both Fiji and PNG battled it out in a tight arm wrestle for the first 19 minutes of the match. Just when PNG looked like they had started to get the upper hand the Fijian’s crossed out wide via Jayson Bukuya. Apisai Koroisau converted to put Fiji in front 6 – 0
In the 27th minute big Melbourne Storm winger Marika Koroibete crossed over down PNG’s left hand side with Apisai Koroisau converting again to give the Fijian’s a 12 point lead.
PNG had many opportunities but poor ball handling and forced errors saw them struggling to get into the game.
It was Deja vu in the 34th minute as Marika Koroibete scored down the left hand for his 2nd try of the night. Apisai Koroisau converted to take Fiji into the half time break leading 18 – 0
In the 2nd half from the opening PNG seemed under pressure and repelled Fiji on many occasions. But it all changed in the 53rd minute when the Kumuls finally got some points on the score board when Matt Trnka scored in the left corner. With the conversion going wide the score remained Fiji 18 – PNG 4.
For the next 12 minutes the ball went from end to end with both teams showing some entertaining rugby league. In the 65th minute PNG were awarded a penalty 20 meters out from the Fijian line. With back to back sets the Bati couldn’t hold the Kumuls out any longer with Stanton Albert going over just left of the posts in the 67th minute. Noel Zemming converted to bring PNG back into the game. Fiji 18 – PNG 10.
In the 75 minute while Kumuls were attacking the Fijian’s line Fabian Goodall intercepted a pass and ran the length of the field to put the game beyond doubt for the Bati.
The final score Fiji 22 – PNG 10
Crowd: 12,336
Fiji Line-Up
1 Kevin Naiqama (Wests Tigers)
2 Marika Koroibete (Melbourne Storm)
3 Fabian Goodall (Wentworthville)
4 Brayden Wiliame (Manly Sea Eagles)
5 Eto Nabuli (St George Illawarra Dragons)
6 Darryl Millard (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
7 Ryan Millard (Brisbane Norths)
8 Eloni Vunakece (Wyong Roos)
9 Apisai Koroisau (Penrith Panthers)
10 Daniel Saifiti (Newcastle Knights)
11 Jason Bukuya (Cronulla Sharks)
12 Jacob Saifiti (Newcastle Knights)
13 Korbin Sims (Newcastle Knights)
14 Tyrone Phillips (Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs)
15 Viliame Kikau (North Queensland Cowboys)
16 Tikio Koke (Fiji)
17 Osea Sadrau (Fiji)
Coach: Rick Stone
PNG Line-Up
1. Josh Damen (Souths Logan Magpies),
2. Nene MacDonald (Sydney Roosters)
3. Thompson Teteh (SP PNG Hunters)
4. Kato Ottio (SP PNG Hunters)
5. Matt Trnka (Souths Logan Magpies)
6. Israel Eliab (c), (SP PNG Hunters)
7. Noel Zeming (SP PNG Hunters)
8. Stanton Albert (Penrith Panthers)
9. Ray Thompson (North Queensland Cowboys)
10. Wellington Albert (Penrith Panthers)
11. Rhyse Martin (Townsville Blackhawks)
12. Tyson Martin (Mackay Cutters)
13. Luke Page (Canberra Raiders)
14. Wartovo Puara (SP PNG Hunters)
15. Willie Minoga (SP PNG Hunters)
16. Brandy Peter (SP PNG Hunters)
17. Adam Korave (SP PNG Hunters)
Coach: Mal Meninga
